Dot Foods Rules All!

thinkin of applying with DOT FOOD in Mt. sterling IL i think its the head Q. im 21 gettin ready to go to Springfields LLCC truck drivin school i already kno how to drive but have no exp with a job jus got in em an drove a lil b4 im good driver tho and i have one speeding ticket almost 2 years ago any info on it??? im 6tf 203 not fat nor lazy learn quick dont care for being around to many people any info at all get back to me thanks.

 

I heard that all DOT trucks have automatic transmissions. Is this true?

 

Yes. They have the Eaton Autoshift 10 speeds. They still have a clutch that you have to use to start and stop but that's it.

 

Too bad... if I wanted to drive an automatic, I'd drive for Greyhound. lol

 

You know I used to feel the same way. You'll get over it because a LOT of carriers are going to them because of the increase in fuel mileage and less wear and tear. But if that's all it takes to discourage you then you would never make it at DOT anyway.

 

Outerspacehillbilly, I was just pokin' fun. I have a 43' RV that has a Cummins ISM in front of an Allison 6 speed and it's a real pleausre to drive. I am sure I would learn to love it very quickly, especially in rush hour traffic. Moreover, I can fully appreciate where the carriers are coming from with the potential for increased fuel economy and decreased repair costs.

Cheers

 

Interstate went with auto trans...(both full auto now and the Eaton-Fuller auto assist with the clutch for stop/start)...they are staying with the auto(s) because too many new students don't know well enough how to drive the "old fashioned" transmissions. However they do admit the higher cost of when the auto(s) have mechanical problems. and as far as fuel savings...nope...still getting the same 6.2 to 7.2 mpg's and less depending on the gross weight of freight and the "hills" we all climb on these lovely "smooth" highways we travel.

 

When I was at DOT our fleet average at my DC was 7.6 mpg. I regularly got over 8 and that was even with a lot of idle time. Keep in mind this was all the while grossing 78-80k most of the time. I've driven identical trucks with a manual that i could never get any better than 6.5 - 6.8 out of.

As far as the "old fashion transmissions" I know what ya mean. We had guys that had never been in a truck with a stick let alone know how to drive one.

 

Just thinking about it...I don't recall seeing too many DOT trucks up in "the mountains"...seems they are "flat landers" and stay fairly close to terminal....I could be wrong.....(did I just say that in an open discussion?)!